“We planned to reduce the budget by cutting unnecessary things out. We will also give hotels the chance to support the lifeguards in providing beach safety,” he said.

However, Mr Watcharin gave no definition of what was deemed “unnecessary”.

According to the announcement on the PPAO website, “The purpose of this project is is to boost people’s confidence in safety, defence and to protect tourists from loss or death.”

“I believe hotels will provide staff to support lifeguards on the beaches. Then we will have extra staff for tourists’ safety,” Mr Watcharin explained.

“It is a chance for hotels to be responsible and take care of their own guests as we join together to provide for their safety,” he added.

However, the PPAO has yet to clarify why the hotels would pay out of pocket to support lifeguards further when they already funded the lifeguard budget through the “Hotel tax” of 1% of each room rate charged at every registered hotel in the province.

As far back as 2004, the PPAO raked in B44 million in hotel tax collections, with only 214 hotels on the island paying contributions – far fewer than half the number of hotels in Phuket even at that time.

Worse, only last month did Russian tourist Petr Agapov, 57, drown at a section of at Bang Tao Beach where lifeguards are not allowed to patrol because a hotel its has own staff looking after surf safety. (See story here.)

In August, French national Anne Sophie Faisant Torrijos, 23, drowned at a small beach south of Nai Thon where lifeguards are asked not to patrol the waters to keep tourists safe. (See story here.)

As is government protocol, the contract of B19.8mn to provide lifeguard services will be offered for public tender. However, so far no organisation other than the Phuket Lifeguard Service has even deemed the previous budget of B22mn worth even submitting a bid for.

With the budget slashed, PLS President Prathaiyut Chuayuan this week told The Phuket News that he was uncertain whether his lifeguards will want to bid for the contract, a decision that would throw into jeopardy having lifeguards stationed at 38 points on 12 beaches on the island.

“I was surprised to learn that the PPAO cut the budget by 10%, and I didn’t know until I heard it on the radio,” he said.

“I have no idea what made them cut the budget, and we have to consider whether or not to bid for the contract at all,” he added.

Although some hotels already support lifeguards, the budget also pays for the watchtowers, such as the one that collapsed on Karon Beach earlier this year (see story here), and for free surf survival training for children (see story here).

Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup said that she is taking the news very seriously.

“We are really concerned about tourist safety. I will be raising this issue with my staff this week,” she told The Phuket News on Tuesday (Dec 6).

“Patong Beach is more than three kilometres long and there are only three lifeguard stations now, but there are easily more than 1,000 tourists on the beach. During the high season, the number of tourists on the beach is much higher than that,” she said.

“We must come up with a solution, even if we need to find another way to come up with the budget needed ourselves,” Mayor Chalermluck said.

Kurt: Why would i want to comment about Ace 1 project? It is nothing to do with me, i have no interest in it.Also what does this project have to do with tourist numbers in relation to lifeguards, which is the discussion here?
Whilst a small number of tourists do go to Phang Nga, mainly Kao Lak, tourists going to Krabi would go via Krabi airport not Phuket.

Kurt |
21 May 2017 - 12:25:18

If PHUKET tourist numbers would be increasing, than it is even more difficult to understand why Phuket life guards organization is slashing down on life guards.
More tourists, Phuket government earns more tourist tax from hotels, guest houses ( of course not from the known illegal 1300+ accommodations ).
So there is enough money to improve the beach life guard system, better training, better e...

Kurt |
20 May 2017 - 21:11:44

Yes, there is a decline in tourism to Phuket.
Anyone saying different had a big thumb.
Arrivals/departures Phuket airport are not for Phuket only, bust spread north and eastward as well ( Pangnga , Krabi, etc.)
Furthermore it is well known. that TAT has no credibility about their pep talk figures.
Reality is different.
But ok, you can tell some people that the sky is not blue but green, and...

Kurt |
20 May 2017 - 21:01:51

Hahaha, swerve, be productive if you feel to react.
Say something sensible about the Ace-One project opposite Patong hospital in Patong.
Comfort 'buyers', which, after 3 years paying have not even own the sand there.
So far, only a bit (5 already!) of 'pro forma' court hearings.
Prosecutor run away. A lawless happening so far.
Buyers did fulfill their obligations, paid 100% a...

swerv |
20 May 2017 - 14:45:19

Foot: Where is this decline in tourism? If i remember the number of tourists increased last year by 18% an increase on the previous year which was up 13%.
Tourist numbers have increased every year since i have been here which is over 20 years.

Pauly44 |
19 May 2017 - 16:08:47

Phuket is a basket case as a result of insatiable greed, corruption & mismanagement, now only diehard tourists/sexpats or cheap Charlie commercial package tourists, the goose is cooked, sophisticated spending or "quality" tourists have wised up.

Foot |
19 May 2017 - 12:46:32

Scarecrow: The last 3 years, Phuket has done many things to cause the decline in tourism and their Golden Eggs.
Be eliminating of most beach activities that attract them (vendors, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, chairs/umbrellas) along with greed and graft, tourists are finding more suitable and welcoming places elsewhere.
It's a same, too. Phuket used to be on the verge of truly becoming a...

Foot |
19 May 2017 - 12:33:28

This cycle of cutting the lifeguard budget each low season, when it's needed the most, then improve it each high season is a continuing cycle.
It would seem a better plan would to keep the budget at suitable levels to keep the beaches safe during the treacherous low season when most drown.
Adjusting it based on tourist levels, instead of actual need, is short sighted.
Also, keeping it stabl...

Scarecrow |
19 May 2017 - 09:09:04

WTF????
Major hotels are already cleaning your beaches, are they now expected to provide lifeguards?
Have a long think about where Phuket's revenue comes from (for the majority of the population, not those involved in land/property development) and where most of the jobs are created, and the tax revenue generated.
You have a Golden Goose....all you need to do is take care of it - if not,...

benvenuto |
13 December 2016 - 19:00:13

Hotels should help make beaches safer because some (the big expensive ones anyway) are on or near the beach? Is that a fair assessment of the PPAO's reasoning?
Using the same logic every hotel large or small is on a road so the PPAO should invite them to send their staff to help police with tourist road safety. I look forward to the Hilton receptionist helping police at Chalong roundabout......

benvenuto |
13 December 2016 - 16:26:02

Phuket depends on huge numbers of tourists most of whom go to the beach and can't swim and too many drown but now it's up to hotels to make beaches safer? Unbelievable.
Whatever happened to that other einstein proposal to put a film museum in Naiharn at a cost of 40M baht? It seems we've moved on from that joke to this PPAO joke. Naiharn, rated #3 Best Beach in Asia, has had no toil...

bustermanidogs |
13 December 2016 - 14:10:01

The PPAO chief should lose his job instantly. He is clearly a man who cares nothing of the safety of tourists, who puts money before peoples lives. I personally am going to put his statement online, along with copies of the many deaths by drowning which have happened in phuket over the past year. Maybe when this is seen by potential tourists, something will be done to put peoples safety before mon...

Safety First |
13 December 2016 - 10:06:44

Swimmer safety must be number one priority. Suggest authorities change the way the beach is managed if you are not happy with it but not the funding! Towers installed are not appropriate for most beaches. By all means ask hotels to supplement the basic service already available- but not replace it! Phuket Beaches must be patrolled and tourists must be educated about the dangers.

Rorii |
12 December 2016 - 17:53:00

"“I believe hotels will provide staff to support lifeguards on the beaches. Then we will have extra staff for tourists’ safety,” Mr Watcharin explained" can someone explain why is it the responsibility of the hotels, hotels provide accommodation, it is "Phuket" that "invites" tourists, therefore it is "Phukets" responsibility, the beaches are NOT the r...

Kurt |
12 December 2016 - 14:18:42

Ooh, not again a continuing story about Phuket life guards!
Phuket News questions about it are right.
The answers of Phuket authorities are wrong! ( decline to answer, or saying, very thai, not my responsibility)
Since 2014 the Phuket beaches 'suffered' changes, perhaps well mended, but 2.5 years later we see what a disaster it became.
For foreign tourists it is clear that next year ...

Nasa123 |
12 December 2016 - 13:38:00

The most important for Phuket lifeguards are to rent out Wakeboarding and have school look at Kata Beatch and on the sand, they don`t have the eye on the water and looking after people, good lifeguards in Kata Phuket.

Lifeguard Budget |
12 December 2016 - 13:14:28

“It is not worth paying B22 million for Phuket lifeguards,” PPAO Acting Chief Watcharin Patomwatthanapong.
Is this guy on drugs?
Put his kids in the rip and then ask him about the lifeguard budget!